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When clam guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have clam guns

The Comix Files: Randall Ainsworth

I first met photographer and computer guy Randall Ainsworth in 1992 when he photographed me for an article I wrote about McCleary.

A bit later we connected again. Ainsworth was based in Aberdeen, and I was interested in other small periodicals in Grays Harbor County. This was during a transitional period in 'zine history. The early era of online serials was just starting. Randall had a monthly called RAndY's RumOR RaG, which can now be considered something a pioneer effort.

So here's how Ainsworth described his publication in 1993:

And here is the July 1993 issue.  We Newave Comix artists call this digest size. Remember, the Worldwide Web was still in an embryonic state at this time. It would not start becoming a household feature for two or three more years. Oddly, the very first website still exists!

Hope you enjoyed this little peek into computer technology coupled with 'zine history. Impressive that this publication was started in 1985!

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Aberdeen, Washington

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Aberdeen, Washington

Is this wonderful, or what?  Nice work.

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An army of chocolate Christmas bears

Aberdeen, Washington

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Aberdeen, Washington

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The cliffs at the east entrance to Aberdeen, Washington

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Aberdeen, Washington

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Aberdeen, Washington

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Chehalis River, Aberdeen, Washington

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Chehalis River, Aberdeen, Washington

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Chehalis River, Aberdeen, Washington

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Aberdeen, Washington

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Aberdeen, Washington

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The shades of gray we call home in coastal Washington

Chehalis River as it empties into Grays Harbor

Aberdeen

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Shelter made out of driftwood, Chehalis River, Aberdeen, Washington

Postcard - Aberdeen, Washington

"Aberdeen, Washington. Located at Zelaski Park are two wood carvings. Carved by Louis Benanto, Jr. musician-artist from Ansonia, Conn. using a chisel and chain-saw these figures greet the visitors as they enter and leave the city. The artist worked three months carving these two figures."

A view of Aberdeen looking west in the mid-1970s, I'd guess. Benanto is also the artist who carved the Charlie Choker statue around 1974-1975.

Postcard - Aberdeen, Washington

"Greetings From Aberdeen, Wash."

Some say, and for good reason, this postcard is a bit misleading. Looks like it dates back to the late 1950s-early 1960s. This is just a guess, but the top photo might be the view east from Ocean Shores, looking over the northern half of Grays Harbor, which is about a half hour from Aberdeen. At low tide that same body of water becomes a giant mud flat.

Postcard - Aberdeen, Washington

 

"Hoquiam and Aberdeen, Washington. Located on Grays Harbor, these twin cities are port of call for export of timber products to all corners of the earth. Rich in logger and sailor folklore, this area is also known as 'Gateway to the Olympics.'"

This has a 1979 date on  the reverse. Actually, Hoquiam is nowhere to be seen in this photo, although part of Cosmopolis is on the left, south of the Chehalis River.

Postcard - Aberdeen, Washington

"Confluence of Wishkah and Chehalis River. Here is shown the bridge between Aberdeen and Cosmopolis with logs awaiting their voyage to nearby mills for processing into lumber, pulp or some other by-product. Aberdeen is the hub and shopping center for the Grays Harbor area and southern Gateway for the beautiful Olympic Peninsula."

I know this predates 1981, but probably is pre-1977 since the Wishkah Mall is not to be seen here. If you click on and enlarge the photo you can make out the Olympic Mountains on the horizon.